Schools

Update on Stratford Superintendent Search

School officials brief residents on the search for the next superintendent of Stratford schools.

Editor's note: The following is a press release from the Stratford Board of Education. to read Stratford Superintendent Irene Cornish's letter of resignation. And to read a profile on Cornish, who will officially retire at the end of 2012.

The has begun the search for the next Superintendent of Schools. The Board has selected CABE Search Services, an educational executive recruitment firm, and Dr. Jacqueline Jacoby, Senior Search Consultant from CABE to facilitate and assist with this important undertaking. CABE Search Services has been integral to the successful completion of superintendent searches throughout Connecticut.

The search will begin with scheduling of focus groups and forums to seek input from school and community members. The Stratford Board sees communication and community participation as essential components of a comprehensive search.

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Board Chairman Gavin Forrester added, "Our Board is committed to including the school staff and community in this process and is seeking input related to the characteristics and leadership qualities desired in the next educational leader.

"Dr. Irene Cornish, our Superintendent will be retiring this December," Forrester continued. "She has served our community well and made many contributions to our schools. We extend our best to Dr. Cornish in her retirement. It is the desire of the Board to select an individual who will build on the many strengths already in place in Stratford, as we seek our next leader."

Find out what's happening in Stratfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The first step in the process is to hold focus groups in late August and early fall. A schedule will be listed on the district website and announced to the community via the newspaper and district communication systems for parents.

Focus groups will be held with school staff, parents, students and community members to ensure that we hear from a broad range of constituents and find areas of common ground.

Anyone who wishes to share their views but is unable to attend a focus group can complete a Superintendent Search Survey. The survey will be available in the fall, both online at the district's website, and paper copies available throughout the community at the libraries, town hall and senior centers.

"We encourage all community members to participate in the superintendent search process by sharing their personal insights about our schools and suggesting qualities they would like to see in the next superintendent," Forrester said.

The Stratford Board expects to appoint a new superintendent no later than December 2012.


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